“You knew he was going to a highly recruited football player, and he found his school that he fell in love with,” Lucas said. “The coaches came down and recruited him, and he decided that was the place he wanted to go. He made his decision on his commitment early.”

Jacobs is a dual-sport standout, having won the Class 2-A state discus title as a sophomore (144 feet, 9 inches) and junior (147-5).

“For us, his work ethic has just been tremendous,” Lucas said. “He has such a drive to just figure it out.”

A three-year starter on the offensive line, Jacobs will see time in the defensive trenches as well this season. Lucas said the Titans need Jacobs to go both ways in order to have success.

“We feel like we have a really good chance at making a run this year if we can put everything together,” Lucas said. “We feel like Nathan’s going to be a big part of that.”

CLASS 4-A, DISTRICT FOUR PRESEASON POLL

Coaches could not vote for their own teams. First-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points:

1. Franklin County (4) 16

2. Collins (1) 13

3. Shelby County 9

4. Spencer County 8

5. North Oldham 4

TEAM PREVIEWS

COLLINS (11-3)

Coach: Jerry Lucas (ninth season, 73-33).

Offense (4 starters back): The Titans will have new starting running backs and a new quarterback, but the newbies will be able to run behind some size in 6-foot-5, 315-pound senior lineman Nathan Jacobs (a Miami of Ohio commit) and 6-7, 330-pound lineman Corey Diaz. Senior Sicari Toole (644 yards and four touchdowns on 36 catches) was the team’s receiving yardage leader last year, while senior receiver Cam Harris (15 receptions for 368 yards and five TDs) also had some big catches. Senior kicker/punter Webb Bates, who has drawn interest from Louisville and Marshall, gives the Titans a long-range weapon who can put three points on the board or pin teams deep.

Defense (5 starters back): Toole (16 tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries) and Harris (46 tackles, four picks) are returning starters at defensive back, as is junior Henry Robbins (three interceptions, three fumble recoveries). The Titans lack starting experience at linebacker and the interior of the line, but seniors Miles McGibben (33 tackles) and Dane Kidwell (52 tackles) are back at defensive end.

Outlook: The Titans will have their third starting quarterback in three seasons, but Collins showed experience under center wasn't a big deal last year. Collins will need to stay healthy as there are many two-way starters. “We think we have a chance to be a really good football team,” Lucas said. “Depth is key for us and we think we have 30-plus kids will play on Friday nights in the fall. We have good skill at all positions and our strength should be on our offensive and defensive lines.”

Schedule:

8/18 at Madison Central (Roy Kidd Bowl)

8/24 at Moore

8/31 BALLARD

9/7 OLDHAM COUNTY

9/14 at Boyle County

9/21 *SPENCER COUNTY

9/28 *at Franklin County

10/12 *at North Oldham

10/19 *SHELBY COUNTY

10/26 at Pulaski County

*-district game

NORTH OLDHAM (2-9)

Coach: Joe Gamsky (third season, 2-19).

Offense (5 starters back): Senior quarterback Brendan McAfee, who threw just one interception last year and was also the team’s leading rusher, gained valuable experience last season. Senior running back Connor Newhouse, who averaged more than five attempts per game, will have an expanded role. The line will be a strength as senior Jackson Bailey, junior Ryan Groth and sophomore Ben Meece all return as starters. “Offensively, we feel like we have athletes in the right spot to make our spread offense be effective,” Gamsky said. “Our front will be much improved from a year ago. This group has grown in leadership and pride in the position. We will never be the biggest team, but they will fight.”

Defense (4 starters back): McAfee (defensive back), Newhouse (defensive back) and Bailey (linebacker) are all two-way starters. The other returning starter is senior linebacker Jackson Kincaid. Gamsky said Newhouse should be in the mix for All-State accolades, and for good reason: In 2017, Newhouse had two interceptions, recovered three fumbles and had 43 tackles (26 solo). “We look to be more fundamentally sound than previous years,” Gamsky said. “Our strength will be our quickness up front and a seasoned linebacking corps. Looking forward to see this group rise to the challenge.”

Outlook: While the record might not have shown it, the Mustangs were in one-possession games in six of 10 games in the regular season last year. The Mustangs might not have the most starters returning, but Gamsky said that doesn’t mean North Oldham doesn’t have any experience or playmakers. “Even though we are short on returns, most of our kids filling voids have seen significant reps,” Gamsky said. One advantage for the Mustangs is that seven of their 10 regular-season games will be played at home.

Offense (4 starters back): After starting at wideout last year, senior Cameron Armstong is moving to the backfield, where he'll join junior running back William Davis (315 yards on 45 carries). Senior fullback Jose Carias (295 yards, five touchdowns on 42 carries) was third on the team in touchdowns. Junior tackle Bradley Drake and senior Samson Failaug are experienced linemen. Shipley is hoping to get an offensive boost from two newcomers in junior tight end Brandon Even and senior receiver Matthew Rhodes.

Defense (6 starters back): The Rockets return three starting linebackers in Carias in the middle and Davis and junior Jacob Smith on the outside. Senior tackle Brandon Hinojosa and junior defensive end D.J. Turner are returning starters on the line, while free safety Armstrong is the lone secondary returning starter.

Outlook: Sophomore Zach Miracle, the JV starter last year, takes over at quarterback. “The quarterback position in a triple-option offense is always scary,” Shipley said. Fortunately, the defense has some key pieces back to hold down the fort while Miracle gains some confidence and experience. “Obviously I think we can compete in our district and if we can win our district, I feel it’s a crapshoot for the region,” Shipley said. “I’ve told our team multiple times I have a scary excitement about our team.”

Schedule:

8/18 vs. Holy Cross (King of the Bluegrass Bowl at Fairdale)

8/24 ATHERTON (First Financial Bank Bowl)

8/31 at Meade County

9/7 NORTH BULLITT

9/14 at Bullitt East

9/21 *FRANKLIN COUNTY

10/5 *NORTH OLDHAM

10/12 *at Spencer County

10/19 *at Collins

10/26 SOUTH OLDHAM

*-district game

SPENCER COUNTY (2-8)

Coach: Mike Marksbury (eighth season, 44-35).

Offense (7 starters back): After complementing Purdue signee Kadin Smith last season, senior Trevor Hutt (382 yards and four touchdowns on 77 carries last year) becomes the top backfield option. Junior Seth Thompson, who got the ball about five times per game, will see an expanded role. They’ll be running behind 305-pound returning senior center Eli Sherrard and three other returning offensive line starters in junior left tackle Sebastian Blythe, senior right guard Anthony Lashley and junior right tackle Jaden Mobley. At 6-3, senior Spencer Carruthers is a big target at tight end.

Defense (6 starters back): Senior middle linebacker Justin Arnold (98 tackles in 2017) and strong safety Thompson (77 tackles) were the team’s top two tacklers last season, while defensive end Lashley (58 tackles) was also in the top five. Also back as starters are senior defensive end Chris Shelburne (45 tackles), senior nose guard Brandon Jewell (32 tackles) and junior free safety Tay McLemore (26 tackles).

Outlook: Marksbury hopes last season paid dividends as the Bears played mainly sophomores and juniors. Injuries and illnesses took their toll and the Bears were forced to play with a young third-string quarterback. “We have tons of experience back,” Marksbury said. “The biggest question is, ‘Can our skill guys get the job done?’ They have the tools, but we need them to answer the ball on Friday nights at 7:30 p.m.”